Phyllis June Russell's Obituary
Phyllis June Brady Russell, born June 10, 1919 to Merrill Brady and Rilla (Parker) Brady in Manhattan, Kansas passed away on January 9, 2015 at the age of 95. She was the youngest of eight children, all of whom preceded her in death.
Phyllis married Edward Allen Russell in Manhattan, Kansas in 1938. After moving to Oregon, the couple lived in various towns during and after WWII before La Grande, Oregon became home in 1953. By that time, they had produced five children. After his retirement, Phyllis and Ed purchased a cherry orchard in nearby Cove, Oregon which they loved and managed for many years. Ed preceded her in death in 1984 and she moved to St. Helens, Oregon in 1998.
She is survived by her five daughters; Sue (Lowell) Marsh, Beverly Buffington, Barbara (Buck) George, Ann Sims and Jeanette Martinez and partner Vince Bixler. Other family survivors include grandchildren; Kathi (Bruce) Tweet, Kevin (Cheri) Comstock, Pat (Cheryl) Marsh, Anne Marie (Phil) Minahan, Tyrone Buffington and partner Brooke Shevlin, Amanda Vogel, Jody Vogel, Hannah (Josh) Martinez, Joshua (Monk) George, Noah (Souraya) George. Mick (Darby)Fredrickson, Russell Martinez, Jeff Martinez and partner Kristi Roy: great grandchildren; Sasha (Matthew) Gillespie, Eric Tweet, Matt (Gina) Marsyla, Jessey Comstock, Justin Marsh, Devynn George, Zoe Fredrickson, Daniel Martinez; great great grandchildren; Lana and Gianna Marsyla.
Besides raising five daughters, Phyllis was active as a long-time member of The First Christian Church, PEO and Eastern Star. Fortunately she loved to travel, as she held many local and state positions in both CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship) and in Eastern Star.
Throughout her busy life Phyllis connected with her creative side by sewing for her daughters as well as herself. She also developed a wide variety of programs and materials for both CWF and Eastern Star. She was proud to have helped generate some of the first Al Anon meetings in Washington and Oregon, and to have acted as a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society after her husband died. For several functions around the state, she created her own presentations.
Phyllis enjoyed life. She loved music and playing the piano and singing, whether in the choir or solo. She loved birds and flowers, gardening and camping, fishing and hunting, the mountains and the Oregon coast, socializing and playing games, cruises and learning new things (like how to email at age 80!). These were some of the gifts she shared with her family and friends, and instilled in her daughters.
Until the day she died, you never knew what song or witticism might pop out of her mouth.
For these things and much more, Phyllis Russell will be remembered and loved.
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